Vince Zampella, the visionary co-creator of the blockbuster Call of Duty franchise and founder of Respawn Entertainment, has passed away at the age of 55. His death, announced by Electronic Arts, leaves a profound void in the video game industry, marking the loss of a figure whose influence shaped modern interactive entertainment.
Vince Zampella, a pivotal figure in the video game industry and one of the creative minds behind the bestselling Call of Duty franchise, has died at 55. Electronic Arts announced his passing on Sunday but did not disclose the cause of death. Zampella's influence was described by an EA spokesperson as "profound and far-reaching," highlighting his role as a "friend, colleague, leader and visionary creator" whose work shaped modern interactive entertainment and inspired millions globally. In 2010, Zampella founded Respawn Entertainment, an Electronic Arts subsidiary, and he previously served as the chief executive of Infinity Ward, the studio responsible for the highly successful Call of Duty series. The Call of Duty franchise, one of his crowning achievements, debuted in 2003 as a World War II simulation and has since sold over half a billion copies worldwide, evolving to include modern warfare settings and even inspiring a live-action movie. More recently, Zampella was instrumental in the creation of the acclaimed action-adventure games Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. Video game journalist Geoff Keighley expressed shock at Zampella's sudden death, remembering him as an "extraordinary person" and a "visionary executive" with a unique ability to foster talent. Keighley lamented that Zampella, despite creating some of the most influential games of our time, likely had his greatest work still ahead of him, a game the world will now never play. His legacy is expected to continue shaping game development and player connections for generations to come.
